Every year, the Municipal Engineers Association (MEA) offers its Bursary Program to assist students enrolling in the 1st year of an engineering program at the University level. Up to ten (10) bursaries are awarded to children/dependents of municipal employees and elected councillors. The two (2) highest scoring applications will be awarded the John Hammer Memorial Bursary and the William Robinson Memorial Bursary; both are valued
at $2,000 each. The balance of the bursaries are valued at $1,500 each.
A. Purpose
The MEA Bursary Program provides financial assistance to encourage secondary school students to pursue a career in engineering. Up to ten (10) bursaries will be awarded to students enrolling into an Engineering Program at the University level. The two (s) highest scoring applications will receive the:
- John Hammer Memorial Bursary valued at $2,000; and,
- William Robinson Memorial Bursary valued at $2,000.
The balance of the bursaries are valued at $1,500 each.
B. Eligibility
- The MEA Bursary Program is open to all children and/or dependents of current, full-time, municipal employees and elected municipal Councilors in Ontario. Full-time part-time employees who work at least 24 hours per week are also eligible if they qualify for OMERS pension and benefits.
- Must be an Ontario resident and Canadian citizen.
- Students must be in the process of completing a secondary school program in Ontario and be eligible for graduation in the year of application.
- Student must have been accepted and commit to entering an undergraduate engineering program (1st year) at a Canadian University as a full-time student.
- Interest in, and contribution to, their community through active participation in extracurricular activities at their school and/or in civic organizations.
- The awards are non-renewable and non-transferable.
C. Application Requirements
- Each application (attached) will include the following:
- Name and signature of applicant
- name(s) and signature(s) of parent/guardian and the name of the municipality where employed;
- Applicant’s secondary school transcript;
- Applicant’s resume that includes details of extracurricular activities and contributions to their community;
- Demonstration of financial need;
- 300-word explanation of why the applicant aspires to be an engineer;
- 500-word essay on a topic of the applicant’s choice relating to municipal engineering or public works
- Each application must include a copy of the University Admission Offer Letters and/or any other supporting documents confirming enrolment/acceptance at an Ontario University (or equivalent) and their response to enter into an undergraduate engineering program as a full-time student (if this is not available at the time of submission, the application can proceed, but it must be provided prior to actual award of the MEA bursary cheque).
- Applicants are encouraged to submit their application online at www.municipalengineers.on.ca. Alternatively, applications may be submitted in PDF format and emailed to info@municipalengineers.on.ca.
- Submission deadlines for all applications will be midnight on May 14, 2023.
D. Selection Committee and Awards Criteria
- All bursary applications will be reviewed/judged by the Municipal Engineers Association through its Bursary Committee and will be assessed/scored/ranked as follows:
- Complete Application: 15 Points
- Demonstrated Financial Need: 10 Points
- Extra-curricular activities (sports/volunteerism, helping others): 15 Points
- Why They Aspire to be an Engineer: 25 Points
- Essay Component (creativity, logical, grammar/spelling): 20 Points
- Overall Quality of Application: 15 Points
- As many as 10 applications will be awarded bursaries.
- The 2 highest ranked applications will be awarded the John Hammer Memorial Bursary and William Robinson Memorial Bursary valued at $2,000 each the balance of awards will be for $1,500 each.
- All decisions of the Bursary Committee are final - only those receiving a bursary award will be notified.
- The monetary awards (cheques) will be forwarded to successful applicants upon the completion of the judging and only after the receipt of university confirmation of acceptance and evidence of student commitment to enter a university engineering program.
E. Consent for Photo & Communications:
- Each Bursary winner will be required to provide the MEA with a photo holding the cheque.
- Each Bursary winner consents to:
- their photo being posted on the MEA’s website and used in other communications by the MEA.
- MEA contacting the municipal council where the parent/guardian is employed notifying them of the award.
Scholarship Value: $2,000
Awards Available: 10
Award Deadline: Register to View